Euro 2024 has finally dwindled down to the final four. Another major international tournament has toyed with the heartstrings of fans worldwide after relentless theatrics across Germany.
Spain, France, the Netherlands and England all vie for a chance to lift the coveted trophy. Here is what you need to know heading into the semifinals on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Personality meets efficiency as Spain face France
Two powerhouses meet in the first semifinal as a free flowing La Roja gear up for a clash with 2022 World Cup finalists Les Bleus.
Road to the semifinals
Spain topped the Euro 2024 Group of Death and its knockout-round performances impressed. The only side to finish the opening round with a perfect nine points and zero goals conceded, the Spanish emerged as the most well-rounded team. Next was a thumping 4-1 win over Georgia in the Round of 16 before victory over host Germany with literally seconds remaining in extra-time. Spain had the toughest route to the semifinals, but Luis de la Fuente’s side accomplished it effortlessly and had, creative, passionate play oozing from every player.
France, meanwhile, merely scrapped through to the final four. A stunning performance from Austria — combined with an inadequate one from Les Bleus — left them as runners-up in the group stage. An 85th minute own goal saw them edge past Belgium and a tinkering attack failed to arrive before expert penalties dispatched Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. They have not surfaced as the lethal team we know them to be, but they have demonstrated solid foundations, mental fortitude and efficiency — all equally notable qualities.
Spain last won the European Championship in 2012 (as holders) and could become the outright most successful country in the competition, while the trophy has evaded France since 2000.
How they match up
Their head-to-head record is tight across all competitions, with Spain winning 16 times to France’s 13. Throw in seven draws between them, too. In fact, their last five meetings are split down the middle with two wins each and a draw. The last time these two met was the 2020/21 Nations League final, when France walked away 2-1 victors.
The entire French backline will need to stay on its toes against a firing Spanish attack featuring eight different goal scorers. Full-backs Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde can’t be too high up the pitch, otherwise La Roja will lick their lips at a possible counter-attack. Meanwhile, Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon has only conceded twice but will be wary of Kylian Mbappé’s threat — despite the star’s absence of goals so far. In midfield, expect veterans Rodri and N’Golo Kanté to battle it out while supporters Fabian Ruiz and Eduardo Camavinga look to cement their presence in the national team.
The surprise packages
You might know this name already after the performances he’s delivered, so he rightfully deserves another mention. At just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal’s stardom is rapidly evolving. He leads the assist charts (three) despite being the youngest to ever to feature in the tournament and has the fourth-most dribbles (26). His form suggests he’ll be another key influence for Spain, but can France end the Barcelona ace’s teenage dream by isolating him?
Les Bleus are full of stars, but there’s one name who stands out above the rest this tournament: William Saliba. The Arsenal man kept Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Ronaldo at bay with expert man-marking, aided by his physical, six-foot-four inch frame. How he manipulates the space available inside the box against all the Spanish attackers will be key. You can bet he won’t let striker Alvaro Morata have it easy, either. That will be a top battle.
The Achilles heel
Spain is without three key stars as starting defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are both suspended. Meanwhile, midfield maestro Pedri suffered a tournament-ending knee injury following a clash with German’s Toni Kroos.
France, meanwhile, has yet to score a goal from open play. The French have scraped through to the final four with just one goal from their own efforts — but it was a penalty — alongside two lucky own-goals.
Netherlands and England look to avenge international misfortune
The other semifinal sees the Netherlands hope to finally lift a trophy after 36 years while England is eyeing a second consecutive final appearance with its sights set on winning it.
Road to the semifinals
The Netherlands was tagged as a potential dark horse before things kicked off in Germany and has gradually embraced the title. The Dutch executed a comeback win over Poland and held France 0-0, but stunningly collapsed against Austria on Matchday 3 to finish third in their group. They rallied to thump Romania 3-0 in the Round of 16 and pulled off another comeback with two goals in six minutes to defeat Turkey en route to the semifinals. The Dutch have produced multiple legends of the game, yet glory tends to evade them. Ronald Koeman’s side is filled with individual stars whose direct style of play is finally clicking on the international stage. Maybe this is it?
England, meanwhile, is another side that had to dig deep to stay alive. The Three Lions somehow topped their group despite just one win and two goals to their name. Some of the biggest stars in the game were dull and dreary. Their Round of 16 performance was equally unimpressive until an 95th-minute bicycle kick from Jude Bellingham restored their faith and Harry Kane scored minutes into extra-time to beat Slovakia. Another rally was required against Switzerland, where Bukayo Saka’s curling equalizer and expert penalty kick saw England prevail.
The Netherlands has just one international title, the 1988 European championship, which was 36 years ago. The Dutch have been World Cup runners-up on three occasions, and Nations League runners-up. The Three Lions have never won the European Championship and fell excruciatingly short on penalties in the final of Euro 2020. Their lone World Cup title was back in 1966.
How they match up
Looking at their head-to-head, England has the advantage with 13 wins, to nine for the Dutch, and nine draws. However, the Three Lions have won only once in their last nine meetings. These two last faced one another in another semi during the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League Finals, where the Dutch prevailed 3-1 after extra-time.
The always animated Jordan Pickford will likely be riding the high of winning a penalty shootout. He’ll need that confidence when facing Dutch challengers such as Memphis Depay, Wout Weghorst, and others. Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will have plenty of experience in dealing with England’s top attackers, like Saka, Harry Kane, and Phil Foden. In midfield, Declan Rice’s ball control must be at its finest, otherwise a whimsical Xavi Simons could pull the strings.
The surprise packages
One of the most unforeseen developments at Euro 2024 was the lack of big stars finding the net. Instead, unlikely names top the charts. One of which is Dutchman Cody Gakpo. The 25-year-old has three goals and the ability to turn a game on its head. He’s tied at the top alongside Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany) and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia) and will want to win both the Golden Boot and the trophy.
Another unlikely name has emerged over in the England camp. Manchester United’s young talent Kobbie Mainoo impressed off the bench and earned starting nods from manager Gareth Southgate. With a 96.3 per cent pass completion rate, seven key passes, five dribbles and honestly the best ideas at times for England, he’s a treasured talent. Oh, and he’s 19 years old with only seven caps to his name.
The Achilles heel
The weak points for both the Netherlands and England deal with timing. Each country has found itself in control at times, but not necessarily dominating. Such approaches ultimately required they pull off last-ditch wins.
Specifically for the Dutch, they cannot continue to concede first — as happened against Poland, Austria and Turkey. If they allow England to strike, the confidence surge from Southgate’s men is hard to break, thanks to their never-say-die attitude.
Meanwhile, the Oranje are the highest-ranked opponents the Three Lions will have faced. If there was ever a time for the big-name players to finally show up, it’s now.